You are widely credited as the architect of welfare reform. Why is it so important to change the system?

Currently the benefit system is not only complex to navigate, but it is also difficult to run. It acts as a disincentive to work as it creates uncertainty for those thinking about taking the leap back into employment. It also makes people very risk averse and hinders them from breaking welfare dependency.

The new universal credit system will support people back into work and take away the risk of starting employment by ensuring that people know that they are better off in work. It will also help people to feel more in control as they will have a clearer understanding of what is expected of them and what they will receive in return. Having a clear benefits system will have a remarkable impact on the social life and health of the country.

Welfare reform has received a mixed reception from professionals tasked with delivering it. How do you respond to their concerns?

Any change can cause uncertainty, but that is why my department is looking closely at each and every part of the reforms to ensure that what is being rolled out is viable. Parts of the housing industry have raised concerns about cash flow. I am committed to ensuring that we do not undermine the social landlord sector, but we must allow people to run their lives independently.

We are running demonstration projects in six locations that are designed to pick up any issues that arise from paying housing benefit directly to tenants and to deal with these before universal credit begins its full rollout in October 2013.

How will you ensure that the right leadership is in place as the reforms come through?

Work is ongoing to ensure that housing and local government leaders are with us, designing how these reforms will be rolled out, and how they will impact upon people in their day-to-day lives. Local authority-led pilots will be up and running in the autumn. These will provide a unique opportunity for councils to shape the development of universal credit.

Councils have a strong understanding of local job markets and the needs of their residents, so there can be no doubt that they will have a central role in providing face-to-face assistance and advice in the new welfare system. I am encouraged to see local authorities taking the lead in ensuring that local people are supported as the reforms move forward.

Universal credit is intended to ensure that people are always better off in work and will directly help people back into work. People on low incomes, under the credit, will be able to increase their hours without the fear or uncertainty of leaving the benefits system, only to be forced to wait for an extended amount of time to have their benefits reinstated if their employment doesn't work out.

The intention is that any work pays, and in particular, low-hours work. Where people on low incomes cannot increase their hours for legitimate reasons they will continue to be supported by the welfare system.

What else can the housing sector do to make sure the tenants that it supports have the best opportunity to get off benefits and into work?

Many social landlords already work closely with their tenants on a range of issues. Helping people to find employment and reduce benefit dependency is not only good for tenants themselves but for whole communities, and landlords are in a unique position to help.

Landlords have a close relationship with their tenants that many branches of government don't. This means they can use their local knowledge and expertise to support people.

You have some very outspoken critics in the housing and charity world. Is there anything you'd do differently if you had a chance to work on welfare reform again?

Throughout the process of welfare reform, from taking the Welfare Reform Act through parliament to the detailed implementation we are now working on, we have worked with groups to make sure we get it right. This is continuing as we bring forward the universal credit regulations. From day one we came in with a plan to deliver universal credit and have set ourselves a very clear timetable. But we have learned lessons along the way, and the smart way we are implementing universal credit over four years means we can continue to learn lessons.